Our Comfort and Joy
"If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you."
JOHN 16:7
+
Our Comfort and Joy
Although Christ Himself admits here that He leaves them and they leave Him reluctantly, yet they must part company. Therefore He talks to them as a father talks to his children. He says: "To be sure, I do not gladly leave you; but since this is inevitable, you must be reconciled to My departure and take comfort from knowing where I am going. For I am not going into death or into hell; I am going into My Father's lap and into His realm, in order that I may also take you where you will be well provided for. Hence you should really rejoice over My going. This is not an everlasting separation; it serves both My advantage and yours." Thus Christ says later in chapter 16:7: "It is to your advantage that I go away from you; for there is a sure and eternal joy, a glorious and mighty kingdom for you, to which you would not be able to come otherwise. . .. I must be crucified and then glorified, in order that the Holy Spirit may be sent and it may become known that I have been placed at the right hand of My Father and have occupied My kingdom. This should be your comfort and joy.
From Sermons on the Gospel of John, Chapters 14-16 (Luther's Works 24:186-87)
JOHN 16:7
+
Our Comfort and Joy
Although Christ Himself admits here that He leaves them and they leave Him reluctantly, yet they must part company. Therefore He talks to them as a father talks to his children. He says: "To be sure, I do not gladly leave you; but since this is inevitable, you must be reconciled to My departure and take comfort from knowing where I am going. For I am not going into death or into hell; I am going into My Father's lap and into His realm, in order that I may also take you where you will be well provided for. Hence you should really rejoice over My going. This is not an everlasting separation; it serves both My advantage and yours." Thus Christ says later in chapter 16:7: "It is to your advantage that I go away from you; for there is a sure and eternal joy, a glorious and mighty kingdom for you, to which you would not be able to come otherwise. . .. I must be crucified and then glorified, in order that the Holy Spirit may be sent and it may become known that I have been placed at the right hand of My Father and have occupied My kingdom. This should be your comfort and joy.
From Sermons on the Gospel of John, Chapters 14-16 (Luther's Works 24:186-87)
Posted in Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Faith Comes By HearingAll Day LongThe Lord Keeps for HimselfSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBy GraceGod's WorkmanshipSeparatedBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveChrist's MeasureGifts to MenUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the Lord